Double port USB fast charger for car?

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David321

480 posts

Ultimate Geek

#319464 28-Apr-2025 07:59

Hi all,

I am looking to buy a couple of those cigarette lighter port car chargers for our cars so my wife and I can charge our phones (and other devices) while driving. But I would like them to be fast chargers (like proper fast charging, the same as when you charge from the OEM charger in a 240v plug)

I have had a few chargers before but the charge on them has been weak, so weak that the phones battery actually drains even while charging on these charges while using GPS (something I do a lot).

I would also like one with two USB A outlets, so many these days have one USB A outlet and one USB C outlet which we do not want.

I currently use the charger that came with my dash cam which is a 70mai 5v 2.0a (or 2.5a), the charge this provides is slow.

The confusion I have when looking for a new one is there is so many different things to measure the charge with, my wall charger has an output of 9v, my current car charger says 2.0a, the chargers in the shop advertise how many watts they are, so before buying another one I thought someone on here might be able to point me in the right direction or clarify things a bit?

I would love if both USB A ports could fast charge simultaneously, but i understand that could be a big as, but I understand that may not be possible at all, so as long as one port can fast charge ill be happy.

If its relevant my phone is an S9 and my wife's phone is a iphone that's just a few years old.

PB Tech do seem to have large supply, but not many with two USB A outlets, and I am unsure if they would be a proper fast charge or not.

I was trying to steer clear of buying one online because I plan to return if its not actually a fast charge, but I have see just one I think might meet my criteria, I have put a snapshot of the specs below, the listing title also says 36w (if that helps).

Lastly, hoping to get something for around $30 or less if at all possible, I see some retailing for $60-$70, I could never spend that much on a car charger! If I cant get fast charging for that price I would still be interested to hear what my next cheapest option is though.

Edit - Just realised that picture is quite small, specs say

Voltage input 12-24v

USB 1 OUT/5V/3A 9V/2A 12V/1.5A

USB 2 OUT/5v/3A 9V/2A 12V/1.5A

_David_

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1467 posts

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#3368145 28-Apr-2025 08:12

Couple of questions come to mind:

Why two USB-A ports? These days USB-C ports will provide the fast charging.
What devices will be charged in the car?

Hatch

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Hatch (affiliate link).

David321

480 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3368147 28-Apr-2025 08:18

mrgsm021:

Couple of questions come to mind:

Why two USB-A ports? These days USB-C ports will provide the fast charging.
What devices will be charged in the car?

Yeah I understand USB C is the way forward, but I have so many USB A to USB C cables and only one USB C to USB C cable (wifes iPhone). I understand USB A can provide fast charge for my S9 (and I am guessing my wifes iPhone) so I want to USB A outlets so I don't have to replace all my cables for every device. Usually when on road trips etc I have my phone charging while using the GPS, and sometimes other devices at the same time, headphones, action cameras, kids ipad etc.

_David_

Asteros

225 posts

Master Geek

#3368149 28-Apr-2025 08:25

I believe the fastest widely available standard USB A charging spec is 12W. There were certain brands that offered higher than this but I don't think Samsung nor Apple did. Even if you get a USB A to USB C cable, I think you are limited to 15W.

Regardless, I think 12W or 15W can be considered fast in this context. It should provide charge to the battery whilst using the device.

Hope this helps.

Asteros

225 posts

Master Geek

#3368151 28-Apr-2025 08:29

If you are primarily charging your two phones, a USB-C PD charger will get you the same "fast charge" as the 240V plug you describe.

mrgsm021

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#3368153 28-Apr-2025 08:36

I have a few multi port car chargers and they all have single port USB-A.

Even if you can get ones with more than 1 USB-A port, you'd likely get only one port with "fast" charging, such as QC3.0 standard.

For phones such as S9, 15W would suffice since that's the max it supports, but for things like iPads, it'll struggle to top up, albeit very slowly.

For me, USB-A ports have been relegated to charging headphones or smart watches.

nitro

645 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3368163 28-Apr-2025 09:02

David321:

Yeah I understand USB C is the way forward, but I have so many USB A to USB C cables and only one USB C to USB C cable (wifes iPhone). I understand USB A can provide fast charge for my S9 (and I am guessing my wifes iPhone) so I want to USB A outlets so I don't have to replace all my cables for every device. Usually when on road trips etc I have my phone charging while using the GPS, and sometimes other devices at the same time, headphones, action cameras, kids ipad etc.

but why would you need to replace all your cables for every device? don't you only need one USB-C to USB-C cable (the other being an A-to-C) to stay with the 2-port (A+C) charger?

Oblivian

7284 posts

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#3368175 28-Apr-2025 09:27

I spent nearly an hour going through all the ones still left on the shelf for black fri sales and ended up with a xiaomi (for my oppo) for assurance. Little overkill as it only does vocc not supervocc as some reviews claimed.

The clones all appear to now copy the look of that one. 67w, (actually 55 when both in use. They all seem to market the 2 highest outputs possible added together. Which hardly meets reality). But 50ish seems common.

QC charges from both output types. But you'll need usbc for anything needing more than 9V or so.

You really have to dig for the actual specs and desired output v/a combo needed.

I wouldn't expect many of the $20 ones to live up to claims. You also need a fairly assuring cable. I've seen usbc ones from china unable to negotiate or even do android auto.

Asteros

225 posts

Master Geek

#3368179 28-Apr-2025 09:34

Oblivian:

You really have to dig for the actual specs and desired output v/a combo needed.

This is great advice. Figure out the charging specs of the devices you want to charge and purchase a charger that matches them. I believe that your S9 is a 15W Quickcharge 2.0 and your Iphone is a USB-C which usually 20W USB-C PD.

bagheera

539 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3368186 28-Apr-2025 10:11

Personally I would get another usb c to USB c cable, and get something like this, then you can also charge your USB c charging laptop in the car too (or your next laptop if your current one does not)

Baseus 160W Car Charger QC 5.0 Fast Quick Charging PPS PD3.0 USB Type C Car Phone Charge For iPhone 13 14 15 Pro Laptops Tablets - AliExpress 202192403

if you click on the tab, the one with cable is NZ$40.60

David321

480 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3368206 28-Apr-2025 11:22

Thanks for the info everyone, I have done a bit of research with the info I have learned here, my main problem/confusion was the way power is advertised on these chargers for example watts, volts, amps and how much power I actually needed to fast charge.

Turns out watts is a result based on amps and volts, something I knew from ages ago but had forgotten, with the help of chat gpt I am told an S9 needs 15 watts, which matches the 9v 1.67a required fast charge an S9, and apparently an new iphone requires 20 watts to fast charge.

Given that now (if I am correct) I can now just look for a charger based on wattage alone that should make things a fair bit easier.

I am guessing a 50 watt charger would have the power to fast charge an iphone and an s9 at the same time, but it would probably be best to get 60 watt or above if I wanted to do that.

I have ordered the charger I mentioned above, but given its $8 price I am skeptical if it will actually live up to its specs.

If anyone thinks any of the info above is incorrect please let me know!

_David_

halper86

545 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#3368208 28-Apr-2025 11:24

https://www.kmart.co.nz/product/car-charger-with-usb-and-usb-c-black-43317240/

Was given one of these by a mate a couple years ago.

It does the trick for me and $19, you can't go wrong.

richms

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#3368209 28-Apr-2025 11:32

Just watch with the multiport ones that it can do fast on all ports, I have one that is USB-C and 2 USB-A ports. As soon as the USB-C is doing anything PD, the A's drop back to 5V only.

IMO sticking with USB-A because you still have some cables is foolish, as you can get some USB-C cables on the same aliexpress order as a decent charger and be done with it and be fine for the next few generations of phones, where as a A to C cable will only quick charge as long as phones negotiate proriatory charging standards over the data lines.

Richard rich.ms

mrgsm021

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#3368243 28-Apr-2025 12:08

It's a bit of a rabbit hole trying to match the charging spec of the devices with that of the charger, with so many different charging protocols, proprietary or not.

Also need to look at the charger spec on how power is distributed when multiple ports are in use.

I'd definitely look at upgrading to USB-C to USB-C cables now that Apple have finally adopted USB-C fully on their newer devices.

Hunter

78 posts

Master Geek

#3368488 29-Apr-2025 10:59

I just spend a week running around the South Island in a little rental Hyundai

My S23 on GPS, music, Mobile Internet and video camera going occasionally.
It is linked to the Hyundai AndroidAuto, with Wifi, Bluetooth on
It is plugged into the car USB A port. Have no idea how much it is putting out.
Seems to keep up with all that and charged the phone as well.

Can I suggest before you start looking at all these chargers, that you look at the cable you are using.
It does makes a lot of difference to the charging rate.

Am using
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MPPMOX00083/Momax-ZERO-USB-C-to-USB-A-Cable-USB20-1M---Black

Hope that helps

johno1234

2731 posts

Uber Geek

#3368552 29-Apr-2025 11:34

This looks the business:

Tech.Inc USB-C + A 32W PD Dual Car Charger White

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